Bartolo Colon agrees to $7.25M deal with Mets

Mets agreed to terms on a one-year deal to keep pitcher Bartolo Colon in NY. Pujols noted that Colon was also pursued by the Athletics and Braves.

The 42-year-old starter reportedly passed on better offers to stay with the Mets.

With Jonathon Niese traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for second baseman Neil Walker, the Mets were looking for a veteran rotation placeholder for Zack Wheeler, who is expected to return from Tommy John surgery in June or July.

Colon was 14-13 with a 4.16 ERA in 31 starts and two relief appearances, then had a 2.08 ERA in seven relief appearances during the postseason. Colon won a game in the 2015 NLCS against the Chicago Cubs pitching in relief; his first playoff win in 14 years when he was a member of the Cleveland Indians back in 2001.

Next season, Colon might have a hard time landing a spot in a crowded Mets rotation that will include Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz. In the last two season with the Mets he is 29-26 with an ERA below 4.15 which isn’t great spectacular but good enough for a reliable pitcher.

If the Mets are 100 percent healthy, Colon will serve as a bridge to Wheeler.

Bartolo Colon has re-signed with the Mets on a one-year deal. And on a one-year deal, there is very little risk involved.